Friday Fives: Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, hearts, roses and chocolates fill store shelves in various shades of red and pink. This year, Valentine’s Day is on an Early Release Friday. For those without a date, here are some of the Messenger’s top picks of alternative Valentine’s Day festivities: 

1. Stay In and Pamper Yourself

Nothing screams relaxation more than a pamper day. Take a bath and apply a new face mask. Sheet masks are the buzz all over Instagram lately. Try to branch out and experiment with a new type of face mask such as clay masks and gel masks. If you’re feeling bold, try out the Glamglow #Glittermask for a sparkly and glittery peel-off face mask option available at Sephora for $59. Afterwards, sip on a cup of steaming hot tea. Drinking tea has many health benefits such as being a source of antioxidants, helping with weight loss, boosting the immune system and soothing the digestive system.

2. Catch Up on Sleep

According to the Mayo Clinic, teenagers ages 14 to 17 are recommended to get about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Why not take the time to get some extra beauty rest? A good night’s sleep is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet. Researchers recommend avoiding using technology devices before bedtime in order to reduce blue light exposure in the evening. To get better sleep, create a cool, dark and quiet room environment and pay attention to what you eat and drink before bedtime. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed and avoid drinking caffeine at night. 

3. Go Out with Friends for Dinner

Life can get busy, so reach out to friends and chat together over dinner. Some local restaurant options include Cheesecake Factory, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria and Circle 7 Ranch. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time in order to secure a table. Try ordering something new to experiment with new flavors and dishes. For friends with dietary restrictions, local restaurants such as Symbowl offer great options for vegans and vegetarians. Having meals with friends or family has been shown to increase happiness and help alleviate depression over time.

4. Take a Break from Social Media

Studies have shown that individuals who spend a large amount of time on social media report increased feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem. Take the day off to engage in a 24-hour detox from social media and reconnect with the real world. Use this time away from social media to read a book or get some exercise in. Try following a workout routine video on YouTube or visit GoodReads for new book recommendations. 

5. Host a Rom-Com Movie Marathon

Put on your coziest pajamas, grab some popcorn and prepare to laugh and cry with the characters as they fall in love on-screen. Start with beloved movies like “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days” and “Clueless” before moving on to more recent releases such as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Love them or hate them, rom-coms are always a great source of entertainment and lively discussion among friends.